Harvey Brittain is a 23-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer with a sound that reminds me a bit of what might happen if we mixed Keane with some classic Rufus Wainwright: jazz inflected, vocals that are dripping with emotion, and a nostalgic pop sensibility as the grounding element. Of course, as a virtuosic pianist who came into his own early in life, the Jamie Cullum comparisons come to mind, but for me, the sensibility is different. The songs I've heard from Harvey Brittain feel more honest, and more centered in the real world.

At 18, Harvey auditioned for Berklee College of Music, believing it was out of reach due to cost. Against the odds, he earned a half scholarship — and thanks to a serendipitous encounter, the rest was covered by author Lee Child (creator of Jack Reacher), who offered to fund the shortfall after hearing Harvey’s demos. With the deal sealed by a simple promise to “pay it forward and not be a goody asshole,” Harvey moved to the U.S. and began finding his voice.

We are certainly glad that he did. Latest single "my heart keeps score" finds him exposing the sleight of heart that comes with young love:

Make me the villain
you’re running the show
You’re twisting my words just to play the hero

Leaning into his small but mighty fan base on socials like TikTok and Instagram, Brittain has been making the most of a series of sold-out headline shows in London, New York, and most recently, Los Angeles at the Hotel Café. New listeners will enjoy the musical references that include The 1975, Harry Styles, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Ocean, and Bowie.

Visit Harvey Brittain on Instagram.